W.B. “Bill” Conner, Jr., 83, of Beaumont, passed away June 14, 2010, at Memorial Hermann Baptist Beaumont Hospital after a lengthy illness. Bill was born on April 2, 1927, in Doucette, Texas to W.B. Conner, Sr. and Alice Hanks Conner. He had one sister, Ivy Rowena Conner Hendrix.

Bill graduated from Woodville High School in 1945 and immediately joined the United States Army where he was stationed in Paris, France until December, 1946. After being honorably discharged from the army, he attended Lamar College in Beaumont and worked at Bethlehem Steel prior to starting his first business, Silsbee Print and Copy Shop in Silsbee. After returning to school, Bill received his cosmetology license and in 1970, started Bill and David’s Coiffures in Houston, with his longtime business and life partner, David Miller. Bill and David operated the successful business for over thirty years prior until retiring in 2001. Bill was also actively involved in other business endeavors and held both a Texas real estate sales and broker’s license.

Bill was known to his many friends for his love of travel, entertaining, music, and especially dancing. He was an avid gardener, great cook, lover of animals and nature. He had a keen wit, positive nature and his home was always open to friends and family. While he was known by many as the quintessential bon vivant, he was lovingly known to his nieces and nephew as “Unc”. To them, he was mentor, confident, loyal friend, partner-in-crime, dance instructor, and most beloved uncle. He will be greatly missed.

Bill is survived by his sister, Rowena Hendrix; nephew, Bryan Hendrix; nieces, Sandy Blum, and Sharon Thomas and her husband John; great nieces, Dabney Hendrix Davis, Marra Hendrix Gunnells and Lauren Blum. He is preceded in death by his parents; and his partner, David Miller.

A graveside service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 18, 2010, at Colmesneil Cemetery in Colmesneil, Texas under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 17, 2010, at Broussard's.